Dame Arlene Phillips 'signs up' for I'm A Celebrity
The 78 year-old would be the oldest contestant in the show's history
It's that time of year again! Now that the dark nights are creeping in and the temperatures are swiftly dropping, all thoughts are turning to the 2021 series of hit ITV show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
After bosses confirmed the series would once again be taking place in North Wales this year, rumours are heating up as to which famous faces have signed up for the show, following Giovanna Fletcher being crowned the winner last December.
According to The Mirror, Strictly Come Dancing legend Dame Arlene Phillips is set to become to oldest contestant in history at the age of 78, signing up for this year's show.
A source told the publication: “Arlene is strong and tough and her energy is boundless.
“No doubt she’ll have the group dancing around the campfire in a bid to beat the cold and keep morale high. Should be fun.”
If the rumours are true, Arlene will also make history by becoming the first ever Dame to enter the jungle (or should we say castle).
After receiving a CBE in 2013, Arlene was honoured to become a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to dance and charity.
Check out which other celebs are rumoured for I'm A Celebrity 2021:
Maura Higgins
With the news that Tommy has now pulled out of the show, rumours are rife that his fellow Love Island star Maura Higgins will replace him! Although Maura wasn't included in the cast announcement, reports are suggesting she could be a late arrival.
Reverend Richard Coles
He's no stranger to reality TV having appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017, but now it sounds like Reverend Richard Coles could be about to swap his dancing shoes for the jungle. According to reports, Richard has signed up for this year's series and will enter as a late arrival.
Ally McCoist
Scottish football legend Ally McCoist was reportedly in 'advanced talks' with bosses to appear on the 2024 series. The pundit has turned down the show twice in the past, and it looks like he's done the same again!
Tom Daley
After winning his fifth Olympic medal during the Paris 2024 Olympics, diver Tom Daley announced his retirement from the sport after the games, and bosses were reportedly keen to sign him up for I'm A Celeb!
Jeremy Clarkson
Following the last ever series of The Grand Tour, rumours were rife that Jeremy Clarkson is in demand with reality TV shows, with I'm A Celeb reportedly top of the list!
Tommy Fury
Following his shock split from Love Island fiancée Molly-Mae Hague in August, bookies were tipping Tommy Fury to sign up for the 2024 series! Ladbrokes said: "Reality TV chiefs will surely be queuing up to snap up Molly-Mae or Tommy following their shock split, and the odds suggest the latter could well be jungle-bound later this year."
However, just weeks before the start date, reports are rife that Tommy has pulled out of the show after getting a better offer for a rematch against KSI.
Mick McCarthy
After departing his managerial position at Blackpool FC last year, Mick McCarthy was being tipped to head into the jungle!
Giovanni Pernice
Following his removal from Strictly Come Dancing, ITV/STV bosses were reportedly keen to sign up Giovanni Pernice for the 2024 series, with Mail Online suggesting they are ready to splash out £100,000 to sign him. However, Giovanni then signed up for the Italian version of Strictly.
Richard Gadd
After shooting to intense fame earlier this year following the release of Netflix's Baby Reindeer, Scottish actor and comedian Richard Gadd was reportedly being lined-up by bosses for the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb.
Olivia Attwood
As fans will know, reality star Olivia Attwood was forced to quit the 2022 series due to medical reasons, leaving her gutted. Olivia later hinted she could return for the 2023 series, admitting she'd had chats with bosses during an appearance on Loose Women.
However, it looks like she won't return this year.
Alex Beresford
Good Morning Britain weather reporter Alex Beresford recently expressed interest in appearing on I'm A Celeb. He told the Mirror: "Out of all the shows I would love to do, I would love to do the jungle."
Alex recently appeared on BBC One's Celebrity Race Across The World.
Danny Dyer
Since Danny Dyer left his iconic role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter on EastEnders last year, he's been heavily rumoured for I'm A Celeb.
Of course, his family are no strangers to reality TV, with Danny's daughter Dani winning Love Island back in 2018.
Denise van Outen
The lovely Denise van Outen is no stranger to reality shows, having appeared on the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Gogglebox in recent years.
Denise has previously admitted she turned down the offer in 2021, but it looks like 2024 won't be her year either.
The Vivienne
RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne recently admitted she would love to appear on I'm A Celeb during a chat with Lorraine.
She said: "Do you know what, I've never thought about it but what an absolutely amazing opportunity that would be."
Phil Taylor
Ever since he admitted he'd 'love' to appear on the show a number of years ago, darts legend Phil Taylor has been heavily rumoured every year.
Will Mellor
Following his stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, it seems actor Will Mellor has the reality TV bug, as he's admitted to his friend and former co-star Ralf Little he'd fancy appearing on I'm A Celeb. Could 2024 be his year?
Harry Clark
The Traitors series two winner Harry Clark was reportedly being lined-up for the 2024 series. At the beginning of July, Harry appeared on Lorraine where he confessed he'd love to take part! Will we see him in the jungle?
It was back in August that ITV confirmed the 2021 series would be returning to Gwrych Castle in Wales.
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning, said: “We can confirm today that we’ll be returning to Wales for the 2021 series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
“We’ve always said we have contingencies in place for the series if the Covid situation continued to bring uncertainty, and after a highly successful run at the castle last year we’re pleased that we can return there.
“I have no doubt the production team will produce another hugely entertaining series.”
At this stage, bosses are yet to confirm any celebs for the 2021 series.
I'm A Celebrity will return to ITV later in the year.
Now read:
I'm A Celebrity: Everything you need to know
Tommy Fury rumoured to be joining this year's I'm A Celebrity
All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return in 2021